Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Cindy

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Eddie

Say hello to Eddie, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Eddie is a 10-month old male Beagle from Yorkshire. Here’s what his owner Rachel has to say about him: “This is Eddie the Beagle. He is 10 months old. He lives in Yorkshire with me (Rachel), my partner Dan and our 7-year-old Maine Coon cat called Smudge. He must think Smudge is a dog as he keeps trying to involve her in play! When he’s not doing that he likes to get comfy on the sofa! Congrats Eddie! Be sure to check back next Tuesday for the winner of our Upside Down Dog of the Week.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Lou

Meet Lou, the winner of our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Lou is a 6-year-old male Dogues de Bordeaux (French Mastiff) from Little Saint Louis. His owner, Roi Rozumalski, sums him up in one word: “CLOWN!!!!!” Way to go Lou! Be sure to check out our next Upside Down Dog of the Week every Tuesday.

Upside Down Dog of the Week – Spliffy

What are you lookin’ at? It must be Spliffy, our Upside Down Dog of the Week, courtesy of Upsidedowndogs.com. Spliffy is a 3.5-year-old female American Bulldog from Mandurah, Western Australia. Here’s what her owner Luke has to say about her: “My little girl spliffy may look big and tough, but she is far from that, and more of a little sook! Her nickname is dribbles, because besides the dog in the “Beethoven” movie, I’ve never seen so much saliva come from a single dogs mouth! This is a pic of her on her favourite dooner that she loves to snuggle up to, I guess it’s just more comfortable upside down! Hope you enjoy and get a giggle! Here’s lookin’ at you, Spliffy! Be sure to come back next week to see another new Upside Down Dog.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Rio

Meet Rio, our Upside Down Dog of the Week from Upsidedowndogs.com. Rio is a 14-month-old female English Springer Spaniel from Lewes, East Sussex, England, UK. Here’s what her owner Reg has to say about her. “Rio is just amazing in every way. She is so loving, attentive, obedient a well behaved. She loves to play and be mischievous. When she was only 4 months old, she ran into the back garden as fast as lightening. Her eyes scanned around and then she saw the strawberry patch my dad was growing. Well, I saw and said “No Rio, good girl”, which she took absolutely no notice of! I’m sure she turned her nose up at me like; “Woof, really. Mate it’s a strawberry bush, of course I am going to just leave that alone!”. She then darted straight for it, slithering and wriggling all through it until she suddenly stopped and I couldn’t see her. Then I just made out one of her eyes peeking through the leaves. She saw me and sprung like a jack in the box out of the bush. Made me jump out of my skin. The bush was obliterated and she looked at what she had done and seemed very pleased. It was hilarious; the sight of her being so crafty. I knew then that she was going to be such a lovely dog. I took her to puppy obedience classes a couple of months later but to be honest she was already trained, or should I say, she just seemed to do what I asked her to do nearly all the time. I mean, not like go and get my slippers Rio, make a cup of tea etc, but the basics of sit, stand, speak, paw, down, stay, here, heel, no, find it. She is now 14 months old and knows all of her toys names, if I say “Fris” find it, she will get her frisbee “Ropey” she gets her rubber puck on a rope…. She now loves to go for a walk through the woods just next to wear I live. She can run around and do what she likes (without being unruly and damaging anything). She always comes back to me when I call her. She have so many cute vocalisations and sometimes sounds like she’s actually trying to talk. Its so funny to listen to. Friends and family even say, Reg, it sounds like Rio’s talking. Love you baby! Good clever girl!” Congrats Rio! Check back next Tuesday to see the winner of our Upside Down Dog of the Week.

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Moose

Meet Moose, the winner of Upsidedowndog.com’s Upside Down Dog of the Week. He is a 1-year-old Chocolate Labrador Retriever from Quebec, Canada. His owner Grace says: “Moose is the happiest little hunter there is. He just finished a year of retriever training and he will go bird hunting this fall. We never thought we would let our pup near the couch but this is his reward when he works hard and man does he love the couch. Can you tell?” Congrats to our winner, Moose! Check back next week for another hilarious Upside Down Dog!

Doctors Say Pet Abuse Should Raise Red Flags About Domestic Violence

The AAP and the AVMA encourage their members to watch for indicators of child and/or domestic abuse by watching for and investigating harm done to family pets. This week, pediatrician Dr. Tara L. Harris warned that reports of pet abuse in should raise concern about the possibility of physical and/or emotional health and welfare of children in the pet’s home. She encouraged members of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to join with members of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) to watch for signs of abuse. Dr. Harris said that if pediatricians are told of pet abuse or the threat of pet abuse in a family home, it may not immediately be a sign of potential harm to children or other family members of the home. Yet, it needs to be, she encourages, as more research is revealing that there are often dangers to children or other family members in homes where pets are abused or threat of abuse exists. Related: Protection Dogs Offer a New Kind of Support to Domestic Abuse Victims What effect pet abuse in a home has on a child is not concrete. Pediatricians and vets alike warn about domestic abuse of pets with regard to harm that may come to children, even if not directed at them, simply because they’ll intervene to protect their pet and get hurt in the process. As well, even if the abuse is not directed at the child, but the pet, the emotional trauma and scarring that leaves on children is significant, though to what level, remains unknown. Some experts have reported that children who witness animal abuse in their homes may be more than eight times as likely to commit acts of domestic violence crime when they are adults, which is truly unsettling on many fronts. Most scary, however, is the concern that those who would abuse pets may also be abusive to their own children or partners. Harris cites one who has unrealistic expectations for potty-training a puppy as an example. If one were to abuse a puppy for urinating on the floor when training, it’s not an unreasonable leap that they may also have that same anger and reaction when a human child has potty accidents, or something else developmentally appropriate with their child. Concerns about incidences of shaken baby syndrome or abuse of toddlers for ‘toddler behavior’ should be raised when a doctor learns of family pet abuse. Related: Domestic Abuse Victims Can Find Shelter With Safe Place For Pets This is why laws across the country are being introduced that would mandate the cross-reporting of child and animal abuse. Rhode Island lawmaker Patricia Morgan says that though there is no infallible predictor of child or domestic abuse, there is certainly strong correlation between animal cruelty and violence against people and that alone is enough to investigate when abuse concerns arise. According to Morgan, where there is smoke, there is typically fire, and reporting abuse of a pet could end up preventing the abuse of a child. The legislation Morgan and others across the country are working toward would require a cross-reporting system in which humane societies, child welfare agencies and law enforcement could share information about abuse. The American Veterinary Medical Association reports that several states already require cross-reporting, though the states vary in what counts as ‘animal abuse.’ Some states have little or no laws governing animal abuse, and therefore, there’s nothing mandated to report. Both the AAP and the AVMA believe that at bare minimum, looking deeper into family situations where known animal abuse or threat occurs, could make a life-saving difference in the life of a child. They encourage their members to report suspicious behavior, regardless of whether there is a law in their state.

How To Trim Dog Nails For a Perfect Pooch Pedicure

Trim dog nails like a pro with these easy-to-follow instructions Click, click, click, click – the sound of your dog’s nails clicking on the floor can drive you nuts. It’s also a sign that she’s in dire need of a pooch pedicure. But if you don’t want to take your dog to a groomers to have it professionally done, you can learn to trim dog nails yourself. But when you trim dog nails, it can be a scary process – for you and your dog. Your dog may not like her paws man-handled and the sound of the nail clippers. And you don’t want to cut too much of her nail off, as that can lead to bleeding. Follow the steps below for a painless and perfect pooch pedicure every time. Have all the equipment ready. Before you trim dog nails, have everything you’ll need on hand. This includes the nail clippers, a paper towel and some kind of clotting powder, such as ordinary flour or styptic powder. Don’t use nail clippers made for people – our nails aren’t designed the same way as a dog’s. There are a few types of nail trimming tools out there (guillotine style, scissors style, pliers style and power rotary tool), so experiment to see which one you feel most comfortable with.Place your dog on a slippery, hard surface, like a bathroom counter or the top of a washing machine. This will make it harder for your dog to squirm away. It will also help if you have a helper who can hold the dog while you clip. This way, your dog is controlled from making any sudden movements that can cause you to clip off too much of the nail.There are five nails to trim on a dog’s paws to trim. This includes the dewclaw, which can be found high on the inside of each foot. The nail consists of a hard outer shell and a cuticle or “quick.” If the quick is cut, the nail will bleed. It’s easy to see the quick if your dog has light-colored nails, but many have darker nails so it’s quite hard to see the quick. You want to trim the nail about two to three millimeters from the nail quick. But if you can’t see the quick, be safe; just trim a bit off the end. You can always come back in a week and trim a bit more off if needed.Grip your dog’s paw firmly, with clippers in your dominant hand and your dog’s paw in the other. Your thumb should be placed on the bottom of the pad for better control. Place the clippers where you want to make the cut and squeeze the trimmers in one swift motion. Repeat for each nail.If you do happen to cut into the quick, not to worry – you’re prepared for this. Blot the bleeding nail on the paper towel a few times, and then pat the nail into the flour or powder. This will make a seal that will stop the bleeding. Make sure to hold onto your dog for a few minutes after applying the flour or powder. If you let your dog walk around, the flour or power will come off, leaving bloody paw prints around your house.Don’t feel like you have to trim all of your dog’s nails at once. You can do a paw a week. That way, you’re keeping the process short and sweet. It’ll just take a few minutes and your dog won’t be as stressed out. It’s a good idea to trim dog nails every month, so you can spread it out over the four-week period. Do you prefer to trim dog nails at home or take your dog to a professional? Do you have any pooch pedicure tips that you’d like to share with us? Please leave your tips and thoughts in the comments section below. Photo credit: tom.arthur / Foter.com / CC BY-NC-SA

Chris Evans Opens Up About His New Adopted Dog, Dodger

Chris Evans may just be the perfect man. He is a philanthropist, a ‘hero’ and… not too shabby-looking to boot. But what might have thrown him into the ‘perfection’ category is his sweet story of the adoption of his dog, Dodger. Chris Evans is just adorable. That’s all there is to it. He’s Captain America, for one thing. And, if owning that costume doesn’t do it for you, picture him wearing it to the many children’s hospitals he visits to bring sunshine and hope to sick children. Swoon. Related: Hunky Tom Hiddleston Hanging Out With A Few New Blondes But he’s put himself over the top with his recent revelation of how he adopted his dog Dodger as he was filming his newest movie, Gifted. He said one of the last scenes of the movie was in a shelter, and as he was there, he wondered whether the dogs were actors or really up for adoption. He calls himself a ‘dog lunatic’ (not a bad moniker in our book), and he of course asked about the pups’ situation. He says he walked up and down the kennels and saw a dog guessed to be about one-year-old, though Evans says he has the energy and love of a puppy. Calling him a ‘ sweetheart,’ Evans says that Dodger loves other dogs and kids and is just basically a fur bag full of love. Related: Daniel Craig Uses Puppy Power To Explain Aston Martin Contest [Video] Evans says that he and Dodger do just about everything together–and that playing with Dodger is exhausting exercise that he loves (you may remember what a pushup task-master Dodger was last year!). He says Dodger sleeps with him on his pillow, and they sweetly wake up face-to-face. (Lucky dog!) Evans says that he believes it’s important to keep Dodger clean as they do lots of running around in the mud and dirt, so Dodger gets a couple of baths a week from Evans, and clearly lives the good life. Sometimes stars take some pretty unique things from the sets of their movies, but we have to give it to Evans–Dodger is the best one yet!

Basque Shepherd Dog

Basque Shepherd Dog Basics While many working breeds can adapt to family life, the Basque Shepherd Dog is one of the few that is actually well suited for being a family pet. Though this breed excels at herding and guarding livestock, it also loves to spend time with family and gets along incredibly well with children. If you are looking for a family-friendly breed that is unlike any other dog you’ve ever seen, consider the Basque Shepherd Dog. If you are looking for a family-friendly breed that is unlike any other dog you’ve ever seen, consider the Basque Shepherd Dog. Origin The Basque Shepherd Dog is a landrace breed which means that it hasn’t been subjected to the same degree of selective breeding as many modern breeds. This breed originated in the Basque Country and has been used by local shepherd for hundreds of years to help them care for their sheep and cattle. The Basque Shepherd is such an ancient breed that skeletal remains dating back 12,000 have been found of the breed’s ancestors. Though this breed has been around for thousands of years, it was only recently recognized by the Royal Canine Society of Spain in 1996 after it was officially differentiated from similar breeds like the Catalan Sheepdog and the Pyrenean Shepherd. Pedigree

Adoptable Dog of the Week – Beau

This week’s adoptable dog from Adoptapet.com is Beau, a Labrador Retriever mix puppy from Terrell, TX. Beau is as cute as can be. Sporting a black coat and chocolate-brown eyes, this little fella will just melt your heart. He’s great with other dogs and kids, and is waiting patiently for his forever home. Beau’s Story: Hi! Beau is my name and I am a male Lab mix puppy about 10 weeks old. I am an adorable little guy who loves to be held and snuggled. I get along well with other dogs and enjoy playtime. I am simply looking for a loving home where I can grow up and learn what being a dog is all about. You can learn more about Beau and other adoptable dogs at Adoptapet.com.

What is Cat Scratch Fever and How Can You Avoid Being Infected?

A bacterial infection that can pass from cats to humans, cat scratch fever can make you feel a lot more than under the weather. Protect yourself and your cat from this nasty bite. Cat Scratch Fever is more than just a cheesy rock song from the ’70s, it’s a potentially serious bacterial infection that humans can contract if they are bitten or scratched by an infected cat – and this includes your own furry little gal. The cat becomes infected through fleas that carry a common bacterium known as Bartonella henselae. While your vet can test to see if kitty is infected, cats tend to carry the bacteria for a short period of time making treatment unnecessary. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that up to 40 percent of felines carry the bacteria at some time in their lives but go undetected because it doesn’t make them sick. Related: A Quick Guide to Common Parasites in Cats Not the case for humans however, where common symptoms can include: blistering, bumps or swollen lymph nodes near the bite or scratchfatigue and/or headacheslow-grade fever While formally diagnosing Cat Scratch Fever from the above symptoms is difficult, your family doctor can perform a series of tests including blood-work that will identify the Bartonella henselae bacteria. Related: The Importance of Environmental Enrichment for Cats Typically a positive diagnosis is not considered extremely serious and will not require treatment however there are exceptions. If the symptoms are more severe or the infected person has a compromised immune system, antibiotics will need to be prescribed to safeguard against potentially very serious complications that can include brain or vision damage. So how do you avoid getting scratched and chomped on by Miss Kitty? For those of us who own cats, we know that when play happens, so do scratches. Your best bet is to wash your hands after roughhousing with your feline (even spit can carry the bacteria), keep her indoors and administer anti-flea medication to minimize the risk.

American Humane Turns Shelter Dogs to Service Dogs For Veterans

American Humane launches a new program that will take shelter dogs and train them to be service dogs for military veterans suffering from brain injuries and/or post traumatic stress. Military service members and veterans can suffer from life-changing Post Traumatic Stress ( PTS) and Traumatic Brain Injuries ( TBI) due to the nature of their service, and the American Humane wants to serve those American heroes and save the lives of shelter dogs at the same time. Related: HABRI Grants $42,000 To Study Effects Of Service Dogs On War Veterans With PTSD President and CEO of American Humane, Dr. Robin Ganzert, says that every day, 20 American veterans commit suicide on average, and it is estimated that nearly 700,000 dogs a year are euthanized in United States shelters. Working through the Lois Pope Life Center for Military Affairs, American Humane will attempt to make a dent in both of those numbers, by launching this program. Research shows that service dogs trained to work with PTS and TBI patients make life-long, and often lifesaving, impact on the lives of those veterans who suffer with those issues. The problem is that wait lists are long because the training process takes time and can cost up to $20,000 per dog to specially train. American Humane plans to offer PTS and TBI service dogs to veterans in need fully at their own expense; veterans who receive the dogs will not pay anything. Related: Paws For Veterans Trains Rescue Dogs To Help Heroes With PTSD Currently, the Department of Defense does not pay for the training and/or delivery of specialized service dogs to its veterans, with the exception of a sometimes-stipend of $500, and that is not always guaranteed. While many are lobbying to make that different, corporate sponsors of American Humane’s veterans’ assistance program like Hallmark Channel, Kriser’s Natural Pet and Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health, as well as individual donors’ generous donations are currently making the program possible.

ASPCA Partners With Maddie’s Fund to Support the “Million Cat Chal

It may be a big number, but saving the lives of one million cats is possible – and you can help! The ASPCA has a plan that will save the lives of felines in the US. Their mission is simple; save the lives of one million cats within the next five years. Simple? Let’s provide some context as to how massive a goal we’re talking about. If you added up every single resident living in Washington, DC and every single resident living in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, you still wouldn’t have one million. That’s how big a goal this is! But the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals ( ASPCA) is undaunted and together with Maddie’s Fund, the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, and Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program at the University of Florida they are undertaking the Million Cat Challenge (The Challenge) to help animal shelters throughout North America save the lives of just a fraction of the felines that are delivered to their doorsteps each year. Related: What are the Most Commonly Overlooked Cats at Shelters? The Challenge was originally launched in 2014 with help from Maddie’s Fund, a national foundation established by Dave and Cheryl Duffield to revolutionize the status and well-being of companion animals. To date, more than 1,100 shelters in the U.S. and Canada have signed up for The Challenge and collectively have saved more than 750,000 feline lives. The campaign focuses on five key initiatives and while organizers acknowledge that not every initiative will make sense for every shelter, it won’t preclude those interested in participating in the challenge. Alternatives to Intake: Provide positive alternatives to keep cats in the home or community when admission to a shelter is not the best choice.Managed Admission: Schedule intake of cats to match the shelter’s ability to assure humane care and safe movement through the shelter system to an appropriate outcome for every cat.Capacity for Care: Match the number of cats cared for at any one time with the capacity required to assure the Five Freedoms of Animal Welfare for all cats in the shelter.Removing Barriers to Adoption: Expand the pool of adopters by removing barriers to adoption such as cost, process, or location.Return to Field: Sterilize, vaccinate, and return healthy un-owned shelter cats to the location of origin as an alternative to euthanasia. Related: The Cat Question – To Microchip or Not To Microchip To track results, baseline data will be gathered on the number of felines brought into the shelters, the number euthanized and the number saved through adoption or return to field. This information will be updated annually with the ultimate one million mark being based on an overall reduction in euthanasia and increase in lives saved by the participating shelters. The “lift” that will come from bringing in the ASPCA is tremendous according to the Challenge co-founder Dr. Julie Levy of Maddie’s Shelter Medicine Program in Florida. “Bringing the power of the ASPCA on board will accelerate the momentum that’s driving transformational change on behalf of shelter cats. This is an unprecedented collaboration to turn shelters into the safe havens for cats that they always wanted to be.” Learn more about it at the Million Cat Challenge’s website.

Can Dogs Be Racist?

Dogs love everyone… or do they? Is it possible for dogs to be racist? Let’s look at a few reasons why you might think your dog a bias toward certain people. If you were to take a dog that had been raised in a white household in a predominately white neighborhood to a different part of town, you might find that he reacts in a different way to black people than to white people. But does that mean that the dog is racist? Not exactly. Is It Possible for a Dog to Be Racist? When you see a dog raised by a white family barking at a black person, the first thought that pops into your head may be that the dog is racist. While this may be true, to a certain degree, it doesn’t tell the whole story. The same thing could happen if a dog raised by a black family were introduced to a white person for the first time. It can also happen in situations that do not involve race at all. Some dogs react poorly to males compared to females, or elderly people compared to young people. It is also common for dogs to be wary around people in uniforms, people in wheelchairs, or really anything that makes one person visually different from most. But what is really happening when your dog reacts in this manner? Your dog isn’t racist, ageist, or sexist – he just hasn’t been socialized to people who are different from the family in which he was raised. Socializing a puppy is all about exposing him to as many new things as possible during the first few months of his life when he is the most impressionable. If you expose your puppy to as many new things as possible when he is young, he will grow up to be a confident and well-adjusted adult dog who accepts new and unfamiliar experiences with a positive, if cautious, attitude instead of abject fear. Tips for Dealing with a Racist Dog In order to deal with a dog who responds poorly to people of a certain race, sex, or age group you first need to identify the problem. Was there an incident that caused your dog to form a negative association with a particular type of person, or is it simply that he wasn’t exposed to a variety of people when he was a puppy? In most cases, it is the latter. If you fail to properly socialize your puppy at a young age, he will have limited life experience. As an adult, then, he is more likely to respond to new experiences (including new people) with a degree of uncertainty, or even fear. Your dog doesn’t bark at someone with dark skin because he hates black people – he barks out of fear or anxiety because he hasn’t been exposed to someone like that before. Just because your dog responds poorly to a certain type of people doesn’t mean that you have to avoid those people forever. It is possible to desensitize your dog – to condition him to have a positive response (or at least a neutral one) instead of a negative response. But how do you do it? You simply have to keep exposing your dog to new and different things, giving him treats and verbal encouragement as you do so, to help him form a new, and hopefully positive association. It will also help if your dog sees you having a calm and positive reaction since dogs are able to read and respond to the emotions of their owners. Overriding a lack of socialization in an adult dog can take time – that is why they say it is difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. Just be gentle but persistent with your dog and be generous with your praise and rewards. Over time, he will improve.

How Does a Dog Microchip Protect Your Pooch?

If your pup wanders off, a dog microchip can bring him home safe to you Every year, millions of pets end up in shelters, and over half of those are put down. In fact, 1 in 3 pets will get lost at some point in their lives. The ASPCA reports that 33 percent of pet owners admit their pets always have ID tags on them. It’s heartbreaking to know that many don’t make it back to their owners. While some owners equip their dog with tag on his collar, that might not be enough – they can be damaged or fall off. For identification that will stick with your pooch no matter what, you should think about a dog microchip. What Is A Dog Microchip?

American Bulldog

American Bulldog Basics He may have its roots in fighting and working, but the American Bulldog is a big old softie at heart. Now, you’ll find him as a much-loved companion in many households in North American and around the world. He’ll keep a watchful eye over the family and work his tail off all day, but he’s just as content to curl up at your feet on the couch. When trained and socialized on time, the American Bulldog is a friendly, loving dog that fits in well with families of all shapes and sizes. They are very active, though, and will do best with an owner who can meet their exercise requirements. As a large dog with a working background, the American Bulldog will not be the best choice for a first-time dog owner. An experienced owner who can assert themselves as the leader of the pack is an absolute must. If you’ve got enough energy to keep up with this active breed, as well as enough attention to give, the American Bulldog may be the perfect fit for your family. He does best in a household with no other animals, but will protect and guard his family with his life. Read on to learn more about this wonderful breed and decide if this is the right dog for you. It may have its roots in fighting and working, but the American Bulldog is a big old softie at heart. Origin Making its way into the United States in the 1800s, immigrants brought their working Bulldogs with them in order to make life in the new country easier. This breed was especially popular in the Southern States, thanks to its ability to bring down and catch feral pigs. As the working dog of farmers and ranchers, the American Bulldog was also used for bull-, buffalo- and bear-baiting. During WWII, the breed almost died out, but could still be found as cattle and livestock dogs and farm protectors in the south-east. But thanks to a man named John D. Johnson of Summerville, Georgia, he saved the breed from extinction by selecting the best of the breed he could find and started a selection program. Pedigree

Havana Rabbit

Havana Rabbit Breed History/Origin Contrary to their name, the Havana rabbit did not originate in Cuba. The Havana rabbit actually got its start in Holland when a rich brown rabbit was born in the litter of a Dutch doe in the late 1800’s. The rabbit’s gorgeous deep coloration inspired breeders to develop it into a new breed. The name “Havana” rabbit is because it resembles the chocolate color from Cuban cigars from the city of Havana. In 1916, the Havana rabbit was brought to the United States and shortly after, was accepted into the American Rabbit Breeder’s Association (ARBA). The blue Havana rabbit was recognized by the ARBA in 1965 and the black Havana rabbit in 1980. Most recently, color specifications for the broken-colored Havana Rabbit line was made in 2008. The Havana Rabbit earned its name because its chocolate fur is the same color as Cuban cigars. Overall Description The Havana rabbit is a compact breed that should not exceed 6.5 lbs. They have short, rounded bodies. The top line should form a half-circle that rises over the hips before or down to the tail. They have short, straight legs with dark-colored toenails, short ears which are relatively close together, medium-sized eyes and a short head with full cheeks. Coat This breed of rabbit has short, soft, flyback fur that does not much need maintenance to keep in tip-top condition. To keep their shedding to a minimum, indoor rabbits can be groomed once a week with a slick brush and when shedding time comes around (around Spring), increasing their brushings to twice a week. Colors

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog Basics Some dogs want nothing more than to laze around in their owners lap or play all day. Other dogs aren’t so frivolous in their desires. Some dogs like to work and find it impossible to feel content without enough work in their lives. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is one such pooch. This dog is driven and has a work ethic that many humans lack. He is happy to go running with his owner, but his true love is hunting down wild boars deep in the swamps of Louisiana. Although the Catahoula Leopard Dog loves his people and can make a great family pet, these dogs are quite independent and willful. That means that only a certain type of owner is suited to taming the Catahoula Leopard Dog. This breed is not for the first-time dog owner and requires a gentle but assertive person to train and handle him. However, with proper socialization and early training, Catahoula Leopard Dog will not be aggressive, stubborn, or aloof. They will be great companions and a loyal friend to their family to the very end. Even so, these are not cuddly and goofy canines that will seek the couch or become velcro dogs. These are dogs who need a specific task or purpose in their lives to keep them happy. This is primarily a working dog breed. So you can expect a Catahoula Leopard Dog to be active, serious, and task-oriented. These unusual looking dogs are not just hunters by nature either. The Catahoula Leopard Dogs excel as stock dogs, bay dogs, tree dogs, watchdogs, and even guard dogs. They can do just about any typical working dog task. As long as they have a clear task, they will do it with dedication. Needless to say, this US breed is not a good fit for apartment or owners who prefer their dogs to be lazy. It takes a certain type of owner to tame and please this animal, but that owner will have a best friend for life. To find out if you have what it takes to bring a Catahoula Leopard Dog in your family, read on. We’ll reveal everything that you need to know about this amazing pooch. All you need to do is keep scrolling and reading. The Catahoula Leopard Dog is driven and has a work ethic that many humans lack. Origin The Catahoula Leopard Dog was originally established in the Northern part of the wet and wild state of Louisiana, close to the Catahoula Lake. To this day, these spotted dogs are the only breed in history that originates from this state. It’s a unique dog from a unique part of America. While Catahoula’s importance in his native region is undeniable, its true origin is unclear. There are a few theories surrounding this unusual breed, but two seem to be most popular. One is that the Catahoula Leopard Dog was first bred by Native Americans in the 16th century, who crossed their own dogs with the settler’s Greyhounds and Molossers. The other theory proposes that French settlers bred their Beauceron dogs to Native Americans’ blue-eyed canines. Regardless, this special hybrid came as a result of the same unique mix of cultures that make Louisiana such a remarkable place. Whatever the real story is, it’s clear that the many distinct qualities of these dogs ensured they’ve retained popularity in the region even centuries later. The Catahoula Leopard Dog was developed because of his intense work ethic as well as its ability to hunt wild hogs and feral cows, but has continued to reign supreme in Louisiana because it’s just an all-around fantastic canine. Whether as a pet or a working dog, Catahoula Leopard Dog is sure to impress you. There’s simply no other pooch out there quite like this one. Pedigree

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Cindy

Popular Pet Guide

Pet Parrots Love Video Calling Other Birds, Study Finds

Popular Article

World’s Oldest Dog Celebrates His 31st Birthday

Upside Down Dog Of The Week – Cindy

Popular Pet Guide

Popular Article

Related articles